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Introduction to plasma marking
Fabricators mark parts for various reasons using different technologies, each with its own benefits. This article describes several marking options and further discusses plasma marking.
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Better plasma cutting on stainless steel
Penn Stainless Products, Quakertown, Pa., wanted to upgrade its plasma cutting operations so that it could cut thicker stainless steel plate. It found that plasma technology advancements could deliver the thicker cut and additional benefits as well.
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Plasma gouging: It’s a gash
More welders are realizing the benefits of using plasma technology to perform gouging in heavy industrial applications where versatility, speed, and safety are important.
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Choosing the right shielding for the best plasma cut
The methods used to shield the plasma arc from the atmosphere have
evolved. The concept of using tap water to generate the secondary gas
has been around for more than three decades, but high-precision
plasma cutting using the nitrogen-water...
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Heavy piercing with plasma
High-density plasma arc cutting can effectively cut thick plate. The most challenging aspect, in fact, is that initial pierce. To that end, a few basic strategies help overcome this challenge, allowing the plasma to pierce through inches of metal...
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Biselado con plasma: ¿qué pueden dar las máquinas de la actualidad?
Como puede decírselo cualquier fabricante de metal, un taller es tan eficiente como todos sus procesos en conjunto—no sólo uno.
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Plasma beveling: What can today's machines deliver?
Plasma beveling technology has progressed in recent years to the point where the degree of taper has been reduced greatly and the ability to achieve predictable results, cut after cut, is possible. Having said that, a knowledgeable equipment...
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Plasma cutting to 'Galpinize'
Galpin Auto Sports pushes the envelope when it comes to car
customization, and plasma cutting helps the company push the limits.
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Done-in-one, cutting plate
Combination machines have brought the done-in-one concept to the heavy plate fabricator's shop floor.
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You can plasma cut it, but can you weld it?
Time spent on extensive weld prep easily can eliminate any gains made from faster plasma cutting. Put another way, it doesn't matter how fast a plasma cuts if the resulting cut face can't be welded efficiently.
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Don't rule out plasma for cutting aluminum
In any discussion about how to cut metal, plasma cutting is right up there with laser and waterjet. The technology gets a bad rap, though, when the discussion turns to cutting aluminum. There are five preconceptions that many fabricators have...
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Cut it out
With a plasma cutter and grinder, you can unleash your inner artist and create unique metal art. In words and images, this article describes how to select the equipment, create a template, set up the work area, make your cuts, and finish the project.
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Plasma cutting for pipe, tube
Plasma cutting has come a long way since it was developed in the1950s. Includes a sidebar that reflects some tube and pipe trends and a maintenance sidebar.
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Cleaner consumables, cleaner cuts, better production
Plasma cutting is one of the most efficient ways to cut sheet and heavy plate, but that efficiency can evaporate quickly without proper consumable maintenance.
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Plasma delivers precision for top seat manufacturer
ButlerBuilt, a leading manufacturer of motorsports seating located in Harrisburg, N.C., finds a new plasma cutting system to be a much better improvement over the 15-year-old plasma table it dumped in early 2007.
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Service center fabricates its future
Denman & Davis calls itself the largest general-line, independent service center in the Northeast. The company has about 65,000 square feet of inventory and manufacturing space in Clifton, N.J., another 70,000 square feet in Slatersville, R.I.,...
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Plasma cutting primer
Plasma cutting is a widely used process in the welding industry that provides both speed and precision, but it doesn't happen by accident. Being knowledgeable about your cutting applications, and familiarizing yourself with cutting techniques,...
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The life and times of plasma cutting
Plasma cutting has become a process of choice for many because of its cost-effectiveness. However, this wasn't the case when the technology was introduced because of short consumable life. Technological innovations over the years, however, helped...
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Improving plasma cut quality
By optimizing the performance of each of the plasma cutting system's components, a fabricator can quickly and consistently create high quality parts. The plasma power supply, torch, and lead assembly comprise a plasma cutting system. Robust...
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Improvements to CNC plasma technology
Continued improvements to CNC plasma cutting technology have made these units much more adaptable and user friendly. They have also helped improve consistency and cut quality.
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Taking waste off the plate
C&S Metal Fabricating, Houston, fabricates parts for the oil and petrochemical industry. When it purchased a thermal cutting table with the latest controller technology, it took the unusual step of keeping all nest designs down on the shop floor,...
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Attention, all plasma table shoppers
CNC plasma cutting machines are more affordable and easier to operate than ever before. By knowing the right kind of hardware and software makes sense, a fabricator can choose the equipment that makes the most sense for his operation.
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Improving manual plasma cutting quality
Some tips and suggestions for best practices that will increase your efficiency and precision and prolong the life of your plasma cutter and consumables include: Take the time to read the manual thoroughly; develop a "preflight routine" visually...
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The ABCs of PAC
Plasma arc cutting systems come in many capabilities. Knowing what those capabilities are and which ones you need for your operation is crucial when choosing a system.
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High Roller meets fast cutter
The historic High Roller roller coaster, perched atop the Stratosphere Tower on the Las Vegas Strip, needed to be demolished. The question for contractors was what cutting process and equipment would be best to dismantle the roller coaster, all...
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Better cuts with plasma
One job led Keller & Son Industrial Contractors Inc., Spartanburg, S.C., to buy a new plasma cutting table in 2001. The need for extra capacity required it to purchase another in 2006. Now the company feels it is in the perfect position to take on...
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Older plasma and laser cutters having performance fits?
If you are considering retrofitting existing equipment to not just expand your plate cutting capacity, several factors need to be considered. These factors focus on a higher wattage resonator or an higher amperage plasma system, but also on the...
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Starting from scratch
Knowing the basics of plasma cutting, as well as some fundamental operator guidelines can lead to quality cuts and extended consumable life. The more operators know about the process, the more readily they can identify and address problems that...
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Plasma Cutting: Then and now
To get a better idea of just how far plasma cutting has coe, let's take a look at where it started and where it's headed.
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Making a clear-cut decision
Deciding what automated cutting equipment is best for your small or medium shop depends on many factors: part size, part thickness, part accuracy, parts quantity, computer skills, and machine payback, or return on investment.
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Optimizing consumable life in mechanized plasma cutting
If you don't stay on top of torch maintenance and replacing consumables, an efficient cutting process can quickly become a lot more expensive to operate.
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Plasma pleases plenty
Technological developments in lasers are positioning them as an attractive alternative to plasma. But fabricators are still sticking with plasma cutting for many applications where speed and cost-effective operation are concerns.
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Gouging: The other plasma process
Plasma gouging, although not necessarily as well-known as plasma cutting, is one of four methods of gouging that can be used for a variety of industrial applications. Different techniques bring about different results, depending on the application.
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Making plasma cutting easier
For many people, the world of plasma cutting is a complex and daunting place, with a cryptic set of rules that can be mastered only by highly trained technicians after weeks of training. For every change of material or thickness being cut, a long...
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Mechanized plasma cutting for HVAC applications
Just 20 years ago most heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) ductwork was cut by hand with snips and shears. Cutting out HVAC fittings was slow and labor-intensive. It took an experienced tinsmith with strong hands to slice through...
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Cut it out: How fabricators use plasma cutters every day
Many fabricators use plasma arc cutting torches every day, either to replace or complement saws, cut-off wheels, snips, and oxyfuel rigs. It can be used in a variety of applications—installing or remvoving HVAC/R equipment, plumbing systems,...
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Estimating your cutting costs
In comparing cutting costs associated with precision plasma, punch-plasma, and laser cutting, it's important to account for labor costs, operating costs, and depreciation. All three of these processes have benefits and drawbacks cost-wise,...
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Exploring dry cutting technologies
The evolution of high power dry plasma technology and other cutting methods, such as conventional dual gas PAC, water injection PAC, high precision PAC, and laser for metal fabrication. Variables such as, process speed, cut quality, productivity,...
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Cut to the chase
This article outlines some of the benefits, limitations, and applications of plasma arc cutting. It also provides questions to ask when considering the process for your business.
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What to know before selecting a manual plasma cutter: Understanding size, power, components, cost
The first plasma arc cutting (PAC) systems, developed in the '60s, were 1,000-amp monsters designed to blast through 6-inch stainless steel.
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Plasma cutting stainless steel and aluminum
This study conducted at Hypertherm characterizes thermal and chemical changes in plasma-cut stainless steel and aluminum alloys and recommends process alternatives that may improve aesthetics and cut quality to improve forming and fabricating of...
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Using a hand-held plasma cutter
Need to learn some techniques for cutting, piercing, and gouging with a hand-held plasma cutter? Read on for six steps to follow when cutting; information about gouging; and tips on maintenance.
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Using plasma arc cutting to clean-cut stainless steel sheet and plate
To clean-cut stainless steel sheet and plate, fabricators first must choose the right CNC cutting equipment and then set the correct process-related variables. Precise machine motion controls, torch-to-material distance control, and the correct...
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How to avoid the top 10 problems in plasma cutting: Practical tips you can use right now
Attention to detail at the outset can save plasma cutting operators a load of trouble during production.
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